If you’re keeping score at home, cross Steve Kerr off your list.
Other than that, the Cavaliers’ head coaching search is a blank slate.
The Cavs appear to be casting a wide net over the coaching landscape. General Manager David Griffin is not ruling out college coaches, coaches with no head-coaching experience or the so-called coaching retreads.
He said last week he wasn’t going to keep the media up to date with the process that started May 12 when the Cavs fired coach Mike Brown after 13 months on the job.
Cavs majority owner Dan Gilbert didn’t flinch when he decided to send Brown packing. Brown was owed at least $13 million in severance pay.
His second stint with the Cavs ended after a 33-49 record.
Now that Griffin is in charge, he’s expected to hire a coach who wants to speed up the pace and bulk up the scoring, as well as defend.
Former Golden State coach Mark Jackson, fired after a first-round exit from the playoffs, might exhibit some of those characteristics. However, he could draw interest from Knicks president Phil Jackson, who was left at the altar by Kerr. The Knicks could also speak to Oklahoma City guard Derek Fisher, who might retire after the current season.
Kerr signed a five-year, $25 million deal with the Warriors. Golden State hired a former broadcaster with no coaching experience for the second time in four years.
Jackson, 49, reached a multi-year agreement with ESPN to return to the network and serve as an NBA game analyst May 17. Jackson will join play-by-play commentator Mike Breen and analyst Jeff Van Gundy during the Eastern Conference finals. Game 1 is at 3:30 p.m. May 18, televised locally on WEWS.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Mark back to ESPN and for him to reunite with Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy — a three-person booth that was very popular and successful for us for several years,” said John Wildhack, ESPN executive vice president, production and programming. “Mark has an outstanding NBA mind, a tremendous on-air presence and he brings a wealth of knowledge both as a player and now as a head coach.”
Jackson previously served as an ESPN NBA game analyst from 2006-2011.
If the Cavs want to dip into the collegiate ranks, the hottest name right now is UConn coach Kevin Ollie. He led the Huskies to the 2014 NCAA championship in his second season since taking over for Jim Calhoun.
There’s a chance the Lakers might also make a run at Ollie, who played 13 seasons in the NBA, including 2003-04 in Cleveland.
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, the Lakers have yet to reach out to Ollie. But one unnamed NBA team has, according to the report.
Could it be the Cavs?
Ollie is under contract at UConn through the 2017-18 season. Cleveland.com reported Ollie is strongly considering staying in the college ranks for now.
Ex-Cavs coach George Karl, fired in Denver after winning NBA Coach of the Year in 2013, would reportedly welcome a job in the front office or on the sideline.
He’s 63 years old, and first coached the Cavs in 1984.
One candidate, whose name seemed to come out of nowhere, is Bulls assistant Adrian Griffin. Known as an up-and-coming candidate to be a head coach, his name popped up immediately in USA Today. He has no known ties to Griffin. The Jazz might also interview him.
The Cavs are one of five teams with coaching vacancies. Minnesota, New York, Utah and the Lakers are the others.
Some other names linked to the Cavs are Lionel Hollins, Alvin Gentry, Nate McMillan, John Calipari, Vinny Del Negro, Mike D’Antoni, Phoenix assistant Jerry Sichting and possibly Bobcats assistant Mark Price.Bovada odds
Bovada.com takes a look at who will be the next coach of the Cavs: Adrian Griffin 2-1, Jackson 9-4, Karl 4-1, Gentry 5-1, Mike D’Antoni 13-2, Hollins 7-1, Mike Brown 600-1Ross’ visit
Ohio State junior forward LaQuinton Ross told Cleveland.com he has a scheduled workout with the Cavs on May 19.
The 6-7 1/2 forward averaged 15 points for the Buckeyes last year. However, he was measured with 16.3 percent body fat at the Chicago draft combine.
He could be someone the Cavs consider with their second-round draft pick.

About the Author

Bob has covered the Cavs for The News-Herald and Morning Journal since 1995. He's a graduate of Kent State University and New Philadelphia High School. Reach the author at rfinnan@morningjournal.com
or follow Bob on Twitter: @BobCavsInsider.